Payroll tax cut: GOP frosh dig in hard

You could be forgiven for thinking that, with 10 days left before a middle class tax increase, the House GOP freshmen would be starting to sweat the political implications this game of chicken over the payroll tax holiday.

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As they have for so many of the major legislative battles of the year, the freshmen framed the showdown with the Senate as a time to fight on principle, a prime example of why they were sent to Washington in the first place—the D.C. establishment be damned if they don’t see it similarly.

“Only in this town can being right be wrong. It’s the only place in the world where if you do the right thing you’re wrong. Are you kidding me? … If you can’t start doing what’s right for the American people then why the hell did you come here?” intoned Rep. Mike Kelly, a former University of Notre Dame football player from northwestern Pennsylvania who often takes on the modulation of a high school coach when the freshmen step forward to support their leadership in fighting with Democrats.

“We’re $15 trillion dollars in debt and these people are telling you this is how you should run your business? Give me a break. These people need to get out of here. They drink the Potomac water and they get infected,” he said.

If Republican House leaders cave in and cut a deal, the freshmen might be the last to know—and their support could be a wild card. But for now, they’ve dug in for a long Christmas week battle.

The freshmen argued that a one year extension is vastly preferable to a two-month extension (never mind that some in their party didn’t and don’t want to see the payroll tax holiday extended at all) and that they want an agreement between the House and Senate that provides certainty to middle class taxpayers and to the patients and physicians hoping Congress would come through a fix to Medicare reimbursement rates. And they’re convinced that their argument will prevail with the public.

They were defiant—even as friendly venues like the Wall Street Journal editorial page took House Republicans to task for what they called a political “fiasco.”

“Well look, I haven’t read what the Wall Street Journal writes. Usually I take with a grain of salt what I read or hear anywhere in the media,” said Rep. Andy Harris, a freshman physician from Maryland.

Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.), a conferee, said that the editorial “was all about politics of situation,” rather than policy.

“Democrats blame Republicans for night falling every night. Democrats will blame us for anything. They all know that one year [payroll tax holiday extension] makes for better policy,” Harris said.

If there are any lingering doubts among the class about whether this strategy best serves their political interests, few are showing it. Only three members of the class—Reps. Jaime Herrera-Beutler of Washington, Chris Gibson of New York and Charlie Bass of New Hampshire—voted against the GOP proposal to send the bill to conference Tuesday.

“The media is going to write whatever the media wants to write but the fact remains that there is a process to work out differences between House and Senate,” Rep. Sandy Adams (R-Fla.) said.

Readers' Comments (264)

No, they don't care about politics. Or economics. They didn't study those. They clearly don't care about the United States, they want to help oil billionaires. Yes, they're going to stand by their ingrained, deeply held beliefs in 19th century elitist greed and power. Help the billionaires or the economy gets it!

Destroy the United States because it's in debt! These are the same guys that hurt out credit rating to protect the rich! These guys are toast, even Rupert's WSJ knows it.

As they have for so many of the major legislative battles of the year, the freshmen framed the showdown with the Senate as a time to fight on principle, a prime example of why they were sent to Washington in the first place—the D.C. establishment be damned if they don’t see it similarly.

these clowns haven't a clue about principles which is why boehner has brought bills to the floor they opposed, debt ceiling increase for starters, knowing he'd get the necessary lift from democrats. he'll do it again on this one. it's not a matter of whether these tea baggers would sweat, they've proven their inmaturity earlier this year and the nation was rewarded with a credit downgrade for it. boehner is under enough pressure from republicans in the senate and else where to get this done. hell, even polling in the districts that sent these fools to washington show their constituents are tired of'em.

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A new poll from the Pew Research Center shows that support for the Tea Party — and with it the Republican Party — has dropped precipitously in the last year. Now just 20% say they agree with the Tea Party, less than the 27% who disagree. But the news gets worse for Republicans: their favorability has dropped even further in Tea Party districts.

Wow. And, think all these guys were for a tax cut extension, but then against one if it's only the middle class and now somehow we are supposed to think they are for it?!?!? They must either think we are stupid or they themselves are not the sharpest pencils in the box.

So, the "freshmen" vote on principle (principal?) or what their constituents sent them there for? Butler, PA, Mike's, district has 20% of the population below the poverty level, unemployment over 10% so payroll tax does not matter. Been out of work so long no more unemployment so that does not matter either. On principle, Mike's got it right. Go Irish!! Mike glad you got a full ride there playing football, and were able to transition your dealerships to Hyundai and Kia cars from GM. Bottom fishing? The American Dream the Republican way.

“Nobody wants to be blamed for something, but nobody wants to pass bad policy either,” said Rep. Dan Webster, a Florida lawmaker who picked up a Democratic seat in 2010. “If we came here for one election cycle and all we did was pass bad policy what reason would there be to return?”

D.C. is always playing by the rules ..... soon a sub zero approval rate. time to change the rules! those Senators should be sent into retirement .... 2 month unemployment extension ... they are just too stupid. nothing to do with rules just with missing senses.

These guys could care less, which is why Boehner needs to leave them out in the cold, them and their little god Cantor. They seem to think what was mandated in 2010 by the Tea Party is still of consequence, they missed the part where the American people said they wanted compromise. These village idiots may well win reelection in their districts next year but they will be the minority and when they start throwing temper tantrums Speaker Pelosi will tell them to sit down and shut up. Thanks to them and Boehner going back on several deals he made this year, this latest debacle will probably give the Dems control of the House and possibly a Senate that can no longer filibuster in 2012 and unless something really bad happens Obama will win a second term. Couple these tea party brats with lackluster Republican presidential candidates and the Dems must be jumping up and down with glee. This GOP is just too stupid for words and I wonder if their advisors aren't Dems in Republican clothing.

These people are sickening. They fail to mention that their so called 1 year extension had so many dang riders in it that it went from voting for the tax holiday to the Keystone Oil Sand project.

Those riders that the GOP tacked on should be voted on by their own merits, not stuck into a tax cut bill that has nothing to do with their partisan interests.

Well, hopefully here in Maryland we can get rid of one of these idiots - Andy Harris.

PS: I personally think if the GOP absolutely wants this Keystone pipeline to be built without the studies Nebraska has asked for, it should be built! It seems to be running exclusively through GOP controlled states! If they don't care to know whether or not this thing could pollute their water, let them take the risk! If they end up with oil-water - let them drink oil water!

The voters’ effort to mark an X on the ballot is the same for the Republican as the Democrat. The national debt, entitlement reform and repeal of ObamaCare means NOTHING to the voter looking for money to buy groceries. The unemployed Americans did not cause the recession. Republicans are blaming the unemployed and calling those Americans ignorant dopers on the House floor. That will cost them the election.

How did hostage taking work them in last election? Exactly. Republicans and the Republican agenda got trounced.

The reality is that a majority of Americans want to see the wealthy get taxed more (even more than 50% of self described Republicans think the wealthy should be taxed more). And it's becoming obvious that the House Republicans are unwilling to do that at all costs.

Americans of average means are willing to make sacrifices in the form of government cuts because even the least educated in our society realize that you can't spend forever, but they will not accept that it be done on the backs of the middle class. The Republicans have done everything in their power to put a wet blanket on the economy seeing it as a strategy to win back the Presidency. The American people are catching on to this foot dragging. They want jobs and a better economy now not when it's politically convenient for the Republicans.

Mark my words, it will be a tough election year for Republicans across the board in 2012.

This will always happen when you have Ideologue over dialog. It happened in the early 90's as well. Government is not supposed to make extra money its not a business. The deficit was created over quite a few years and unfortunately, its going to take a few more years to fix. There is no wand that can be waived. The only thing government can do at this time is HELP everyone to get back to work, help those that can't and more importantly, ensure that it has policies in place that can make new jobs in new industries develop.

Oh my, Tea Party people in Congress. I don't think too many people are going to take up for you on this one. Yes you wanted a years extension on payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits because you stuck the Keystone Pipeline in there, and drug testing for unemployed folks. That's what you are not telling people but unfortunately for you, the average Republican voter will take notice when they are about $40 short a pay period.